As in previous years, 30 teams split between endurance and gravity have been awarded the UCI elite mountain bike status.

Endurance teams race in cross country events, while the gravity squads ride in the non-Olympic downhill discipline.

The governing body state that invitations to join this higher tier of teams were issued to the top 12 endurance teams of a special ranking, which was established based on the individual UCI points won by the riders up until December 31.

While invitations to the top 12 gravity teams were issued on the basis of the individual riders’ final 2016 UCI World Cup standings and 2016 UCI World Championships results.

The three remaining teams of each format were selected at the UCI’s discretion.

Scott-SRAM MTB Racing Team, Specialized Racing, Kross Racing Team, Focus XC Team, BH-SR Suntour-KMC, Cannondale Factory Racing XC and BMC Mountainbike Racing Team are among the endurance squads with the top rating.

They are joined by the Moebel Maerki MTB Pro Team, Primaflor Mondraker, Clif Pro Team, CST Sandd American Eagle MTB Racing Team, Radon XC Factory Racing Team, Bianchi Countervail, Ghost Factory Racing and OMX Pro Team.

A total of 89 teams earned endurance points during the 2016 season, but this year a further nine teams and 50 more riders have been registered.

The gravity elite teams include MS Mondraker Team, Santa Cruz Syndicate, Canyon Factory Downhill Team, Commencal/Vallnord, Trek Factory Racing DH, VV Racing, Polygon UR Team and Specialized Gravity.

Pivot Factory Racing, Scott-Velosolutions, Madison Saracen Factory Team, Chain Reaction Cycles/Mavic, The YT Mob, Radon Factory Downhill Team and GT Factory Racing will also race with the elite status.

The elite teams benefit from advantages, including free entry to all races on the UCI Mountain Bike international calendar in which they hold the top tier status.

The includes free entry and an obligation to enter at least on rider into all rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup.